Export and Import Guidelines

Agreements and Foreign Trade

Trade agreements and foreign trade policies are among the main instruments supporting the achievement of sustainable economic development, through the formulation and implementation of balanced trade policies that enhance the integration of the Arab Republic of Egypt into the global economy.

In this context, the Agreements and Foreign Trade Sector plays a pivotal role in proposing and drafting laws and decisions governing export and import activities, and in following up on their implementation in a manner that facilitates and regulates Egypt's foreign trade, both exports and imports.

These policies aim to place Egypt's trade exchanges with various countries of the world on a sustainable growth path, in line with Egypt Vision 2030 and the State's general policies. They seek to meet the needs of production and consumption sectors, contribute to enhancing annual GDP growth rates, and positively reflect on sustainable development indicators in the medium and long term.

World Trade Organization Negotiations and Agreements

In light of the pivotal role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in regulating and managing international trade, the Arab Republic of Egypt has been a member of the Organization since its establishment in 1995 and actively participates in the multilateral negotiations conducted under its framework.

These negotiations cover a number of key areas, including market access for trade in goods and services, trade facilitation, protection of intellectual property rights, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, and WTO rules.

Egypt also regularly participates in meetings of the WTO councils and specialized committees, with the aim of monitoring the accuracy and soundness of the application of its rules and provisions, and fulfilling the obligations arising therefrom. These rules constitute the core of the trade policy of member states, including Egypt.

Trade Agreements

Within the framework of the Arab Republic of Egypt's keenness to deepen its integration into global trade and transition toward an open economy, Egypt has concluded and acceded to a large number of bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements.

These agreements enable Egyptian exports to access markets with more than 1.5 billion consumers worldwide. They contribute to diversifying sources of imports, particularly production inputs and capital goods, reducing reliance on a single market, encouraging investment, and supporting productive integration with partner countries.

Trade agreements provide customs exemptions and tariff reductions for traded goods in accordance with the applicable rules of origin, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian products in foreign markets as well as in the domestic market. They also contribute to attracting foreign investment seeking to benefit from the preferential advantages granted under these agreements.

In this context, efforts are undertaken to manage trade negotiations at the bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels, in order to achieve greater market access, enhance trade in goods and services, and expand other forms of economic cooperation.

Trade Agreements to Which Egypt Is a Party

Egypt is party to several major trade agreements that provide significant market access opportunities:

The Agreement on Facilitation and Development of Trade among Arab States and its Executive Program for the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Agreement
The Egypt–European Union Association Agreement
The Agadir Agreement establishing a free trade area among Mediterranean Arab countries (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan)
The Free Trade Agreement between Egypt and Turkey
The Free Trade Agreement between Egypt and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein
The Free Trade Agreement between Egypt and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay
The Agreement establishing a partnership between Egypt and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement
The Free Trade Agreement between Egypt and Serbia

Foreign Trade

In view of the vital role of foreign trade policies in supporting economic development, laws and executive decisions related to foreign trade are proposed and drafted in line with global economic developments and Egypt Vision 2030.

This aims to achieve balance in the trade balance, increase Egyptian exports, and improve the efficiency of the foreign trade system. The Import and Export Law promulgated by Law No. 118 of 1975, and the Executive Regulations of the Import and Export Law issued by Ministerial Decree No. 770 of 2005, are among the most important legislations governing import and export operations.

Within this framework, measures are proposed and implemented to facilitate trade flows, reduce clearance times, and alleviate burdens on exports and imports, in accordance with Egypt's international commitments and global best practices.

At the same time, the implementation of trade policy instruments is continuously monitored and developed in line with emerging developments and changes at both the domestic and international levels.